Tis the eve of another Christmas day
A sacred time for Christian’s world wide
Looking past the glitter that would blind us
we seek to remind ourselves of the true purpose
of this sacred time as we pray for peace
In a world that is trembling from the ugliness
practiced by those that prefer evil over good
we look inward for the strength to continue
the battle that those that advocate love over
hate continue to wage not only at Christmas
but throughout the entire year.
It has been said that God is not a Christian
nor a Jew nor a Muslim nor any of the other
hundreds of religions or sects that believe in
a higher power. God is the love that beats
within the hearts of those men and women
that would share their last piece of bread
with a stranger that hungers.
Be you a believer or a non-believer matters not
If you cherish your fellow man, regardless of
his many flaws, the love that blooms in your heart
is of a higher power that transcends all religions
that hereto and hereafter may be known to mankind
© Charles Hampton Gragg, December 24, 2015
If I hand thee a rose
would you smile from beneath your bonnet?
If I played thee a song
would you sing me a sweet sonnet?
If I touched your hair softly
would you blush and turn away?
If I started to leave
would you ask me to stay?
If I took your hand in mine
would you hold on for a moment?
If I ask thee to marry
would you accept the betrothment?
If I laid down beside you
would you welcome my love?
If I were father to your child
would you thank the gods from above?
If I passed from this world
would you mourn me for the rest of your days?
If I called to thee from beyond the stars
would you walk with me forever and always?
© Copyright Charles Hampton Gragg March 2014
"Onward and upward"
the good men and women were heard to say
as they drew their swords to join the fray
The enemy was vanquished and did quickly give way
And peace was preserved in a grandiose display
Now for those that gave all we kneel and pray
So they will be forever remembered on this Memorial Day
Charles Hampton Gragg
May 27, 2013
Well we’re hours away from 2012
And the events of 2011 can finally be shelved
What surprises await us in the twelve months ahead?
Is there something in store that might cause us much dread?
I thought and I thought of things we might possibly fear
And then it dawned on me, god help us, it’s an election year
A whole year of Wolf Blitzer of CNN saying “Thank you for that”
And Mitt and Newt continuing their contentious political spat
And then Boehner and Pelosi will undoubtedly forever disagree
Leaving us with a Congress that can’t see the forest for the trees
And what about Obama will he finally get out of his rut?
And realize that a real leader must occasionally kick butt
Well let’s hope for the best as the clock slowly ticks and ticks
2012 is upon us and this country could really use a quick fix
©Copyright Charlie Gragg December 31, 2011
The Clock is Ticking
What a sad state of affairs
Seems that no one in Washington cares
The politicians know that they stink to high hell
Yet they continue to do nothing to lessen the smell
What happened to compromise as a possible solution?
What happened to “country first” as the proper resolution?
It would seem that those we elected to serve
Put their individual party needs as those that deserve
The next election is all they give a hoot about
And they are deaf to the protests no matter how loud we shout
But with the streets full of those taking exception
The ground swell of protest takes on a new powerful direction
Deaf dumb and blind the politicians may be today
But the time is coming when they won’t have their way
What they are doing to this country is a crime and that is a fact
For destroying it from within is a treacherous act
The choice is ours and we must take charge of our fate
Act know, speak out before it’s too late.
©Copyright Charlie Gragg December 13, 2011
IMAGINATION
Have you ever envisioned a purple moon
or snowflakes in the month of June?
Do you see funny faces in the evening clouds
or alien beings in the holiday crowds?
Can you fly like birds on high
by imagining yourself in the evening sky?
Can you swim the sparkling oceans blue
with whales and dolphins as your trusty crew?
Have you ever burrowed deep within the earth
to witness the molten crusts fiery rebirth?
Can you cure a deadly disease
with a simple touch and gentle squeeze?
Can you teach love and trust to others of your kind
with words of wisdom that soothe the mind?
Can you see the future on the surface of a quiet stream
and ride through the night on a single moonbeam?
If you are lucky enough to be so blessed
with imagination unbridled and unsuppressed
Oh what a fortunate soul you are for sure
As imagination is a gift so pure
©Copyright Charlie Gragg May 13, 2011
Solitude
A restless night, never ending
Its darkness clouding my mind
Creating visions of ghosts of the past
All dancing to the tune of the ticking clock
Morning finally comes in the small and dingy room
Faint rays of sunlight seep through tattered blinds
The sparseness of my existence dimly illuminated
My eyes open slowly but refuse to focus
I realize that the world is still there, as before
And I am still trapped, alone, in my solitude
Copyright Charlie Gragg, January 17, 2011